Culture to Coast: 12 nights in Sri Lanka

About the destination: Colombo, located on the banks of the Kelani River and spread along the coast looking out onto the Indian Ocean, is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is considered the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have a lot to show for the city’s colonial heritage, Portuguese, British and Dutch left their mark here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, visit The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a fascinating blend of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the best-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a huge collection of Buddhist relics from around the world. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a colorful and embellished temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church built by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see of Colombo. Colombo is often overlooked by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most happening place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a lively nightlife, tasty restaurants and interesting historical sights.

About the destination: Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka, located in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka.The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988

About the destination: Considered one of Sri Lanka's oldest capitals, Anuradhapura lies in the heart of the island, harboring years of history and change. Designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1982, Anuradhapura was founded in the 4th century a.C. and was a national capital until the early ninth century, being one of the most stable kingdoms in all of Asia. Anuradhapura is special for Buddhist culture, as among its temples and white stupas studied the first philosophers of Buddhism on the island, especially after royalty's support for this religion during the last years of the city as a kingdom. Today, the visitor will find a maze of ruins and sites that we can walk or bike through and in which the presence of the so-called Eight Great Places of Veneration stands out, especially the spectacular white stupa of Mirisaveti, an icon of this city that every day attracts thousands of pilgrims.

About the destination: Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.

About the destination: Unawatuna is a seaside town in Sri Lanka's Galle district. Unawatuna is one of Sri Lanka's main tourist attractions and is known for its beaches and corals. It is a suburb of Galle, about 5 kilometers southeast of the city center and approximately 108 kilometers south of Colombo.

About the destination: Colombo, located on the banks of the Kelani River and spread along the coast looking out onto the Indian Ocean, is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is considered the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have a lot to show for the city’s colonial heritage, Portuguese, British and Dutch left their mark here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, visit The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a fascinating blend of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the best-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a huge collection of Buddhist relics from around the world. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a colorful and embellished temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church built by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see of Colombo. Colombo is often overlooked by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most happening place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a lively nightlife, tasty restaurants and interesting historical sights.